Radial flying splice mechanism



5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

BY @Az/M446- A TTORNE YS G. J PRAGER RADIAL FLYING SPLICE MECHANISM June 15, 1965 Filed April 30, 1962 June 15, 1965 f G. J. PRAGER 3,189,293

l RADIAL FLYING sPLIcE MECHANISM Filed April 50, 1962 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. $9475 J Pra/Jew TTORNE YS United States Patent O "ice 3,189,293 RADIAL FLYlNG SPLCE MECHANISM George J. Prager, Bryn Mawr, Pa., assigner to eloit Eastern Corporation, Downingtown, Pa, a `corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 30, 1962, Ser. No. 196,921 8 Claims. (Cl. 242-583) The present invention `relates to splicing mechan-isms and more particularly to a mechanism for forming a ilying splice attaching the lead end of a paper web from a fresh parent roll to the surface of the travelling web of paper from an expiring parent roll.

The splicing mechanism of` theinvention contemplates utilization in various environments of unwinding machines wherein a flying splice `is to be made, and is particularly useful in an unwinding machine wherein the unwinding paper web is moving at a relatively high speed so that lthe flying splice can be made without requiring slowing the travel of the web any appreciable degree. Such an unwinding machine is used for example in paper conversion `operations such as where the web travels to a coater or toa super-calendering machine. In this operation large very heavy rolls of paper `which have been previously wound are being unwound, and as soon as one large parent roll is substantially-unwound, the lead end of afresh roll is spliced to the surface of the unwinding web in a continuous operation. This is accomplished by providing the lead end ofthe web from the fresh parent roll with adhesive connecting means, and driving the fresh parent roll to the peripheral speed of the travelling web whereupon a splice roll forces the travelling web against thesurface of the fresh parent roll; lt is of the essence that a secure reliable splicebe made, for if the splice separates, the separated lead end from the fresh roll will be unguided and will jam through machine parts and rapidly lpile up with costly and often disastrous results.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improved splicing mechanism for improving the formation of a flying splice and obtaining a more uniformand more reliable splice.

The present invention in a preferred arrangement uti-` lizes a support for a fresh parent roll and a holder for the expiring parent roll. For forming the splice, a splice roll is carr-ied on a carriage which is mounted on slides to travel along a linear path toward the fresh parent roll. Also mounted on the carriage are a cutting knife and a guide roll for the web so that the splice roll, knife, and guide roll will maintain a constant relationship to each other which is optimum for obtaining a reliable splice, and the carriage is movable to accommodate parent rolls of different sizes to bring the splice roll in close proximity to the parent roll before making the splice while maining the guide roll and knife and other elements in their optimum position and relationship-` t Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a ying splice mechanism wherein elements utilized in forming the splice have an optimum position and are retained in their optimum positions relative to each other regardless of the variation of the position in which the splice is made due to size of parent roll.`

A further object of the `invention is to provide an improved ilying splice forming structure embodying a splicet carriage which moves in a straight line` path carrying the splice roll radial with respect to the parent roll and which has improved means for positioning the carriage.

A still further object of the invention is to providean improved splicing mechanism having improved features for supporting the rolls and for performing the various functions required for obtaining a reliable splice.

A still further object of the invention is -to provide an improved flying splice mechanism wherein the cut foli 3,189,293' Patented .lune l5, 1965 lowing end of the web formed after the splice is made is controlled and prevented from following into the operating machinery.

Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent with the teaching of the principles of the invention in connection with the disclosure ofthe preferred embodiments thereof in the specication, claims and drawings, in which: s s

FIGURE l is a side elevational view shown in somewhat schematic form of an unwinding mechanism em-` bodying the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view shown in some-` what schematic form of an alternate form of unwinding mechanism; i

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the position of the elements of the mechanism of` peripheral moving speed of atravelling web W which is Y being paid off of an expiring roll 11.

The fresh roll is held in a support in the form of a stand` 13 and rolls are delivered to the stand on rails 12 which support the ends of a core 14a within the fresh roll 10.1 On the stand the core is locked by a vertically movingplunger or bolt 14 which moves up behind the core and` is vertically slidable in a guide well 15 with the locking bolt being operated by a piston within a cylinder 16. A similar locking bolt 17 moves in front of the core and is vertically guided in a bolt guide well 18 and is operated by a linkage 19 connected to the piston rod of` `a piston.

. within a cylinder 20.

The locking bolt 14 is retracted with the locking bolt. 17 extended as a core 14a rolls intoposition on the stand, and the bolt 14 will then be moved up behind the core. When the roll is nearly expired, the bolt 17 is retracted so that the coreand nearly expired roll can be` lifted oif of the stand down to the position of the expiring roll 11.

The expiring roll 11 is held in a transfer arm 21 pivoted at its lower end and `pivotally moved by a piston and cylinder assembly 22. The arm 21 serves as a holder for supporting `the expiring roll in the position shown While a splice is formed. The holding arm 21 has a pawl 24" operated by links 25 for locking the core of the expiring roll 11 in the arm, and the arm is provided with a braking arm 26 operable by the rod 23 of a piston within an air cylinder 27 which regulates the speed. of rotation of the expiring roll 11, and immediately stops the roll 11 after a splice has been formed and the web W is cut.` As will be apparent at the other end of the roll 11 another arm is provided which may be identical in construction to the holding arm 21 and be provided with .the same mechanism so that only the one arm 21 at one end need be shown and described. Y

After the web has been cut, the nearly empty core of the expiring roll 11 is lowered to a ramp 28 so that the i i core can roll oif onto a lateral conveyor 29 as shown by the core 30. The arm 21 and the arm at the other end of the expiring roll 11 are lowered sufficiently far down so that the roll 11 can roll along the ramp 28 free of the arms. t

The web W from the expiring core passes upwardly over a lower guide roll 32, over a splice roll 31, `and over an upper guide roll 32a` Before the splice is formed, the rolls 31, 32 and 32a are in the position shown in FIGURE p l which brings the splice roll 31 closely adjacent the periphery of the fresh roll 10. For forming the splice,`

the splice roll 3i will be moved substantially radially against the periphery of the fresh roll lid, and pressure sensitive adhesive tab means 3io on the lead end of the web on the roll I will adhere to the travelling web and breakaway tapes will tear loose so that the lead end of the web on the roll i@ will follow the web W. Immedi ately a knife 33 supported on a holder 34 will cut the web W and the expiring roll Il will be braked. The critter is pivotally mounted and operated by a piston and cylinder operator 3S.

The guide rolls EEZ and 32:1 and the splice roll 3l are mountedon a carriage 36, which also may be termed a splice support, slidably movable on ways or slides 37 which extend radially inwardly with respect to the support for the freshroll itl. The guides support the carriage 36 for movement along a path extending toward and away from the fresh roll, and the splice roll aways moves in a radial path along a line passing through the axial center of the fresh roll I0. This is illustrated in FIGURE 4 wherein positions of the carriage and elements supported thereon are shown for different size fresh rolls.

' For a large roll It?, the splice roll 31 and guide rolls 32 `and 32a are in the positions shown. When a smaller roll illustrated vby the fresh roll its" is employed, the carriage is moved inwardly so that the splice roll occupies the position 3l and the lower and upper guide rolls occupy the positions 32 and 32a'. The knife which occupied the position 33 has now also been moved to the position 33. Thus it will be noted that each of the elements, the guide rolls 32 and 32a', and the knife 33 each maintain their positions relative to each other and relative to the splice roll 31. The splice roll moves along a radial path P so that it will always engage the fresh roll at an optimum angle for making a secure splice. The travelling web W will always have the same wrap with respect to the splice roll which can be chosen to be optimum for forming the splice. Also the knife will be retained in its optimum position with respect to the lower guide roll 32 and the splice roll 3l. Thus with change in size of the fresh parent roll the operation of the splice mechanism will not be adversely affected.

To reduce forces on the travelling web the splice roll 31 and upper guide roll 32 may be driven in rotation such as by a drive sheave 42 also supported on the carriage. The drive sheave has drive means such as a belt 43 driving the upper guide roll 32a, and a belt ed driven by a sheave on the upper guide roll 32a drives the spl-ice roll 3l.

The splice roll is pivotally mounted on the carriage for movement independent thereof on an arm 38 with a pivotal connection 39 on its upper end to connect to a piston rod 44B of a piston within an air cylinder dl. The air cylinder is provided with suitable connections for delivering pressurized air to snap the splice roll 3l inwardly when released or when actuated to move the web W against the surface of the fresh roll lil.

The carriage is movable radially inwardly or outwardly to adjust it to the size of fresh roll Iii to be accommodated, and has a nut 46 supported on a bracket on the carriage threaded on a rotatable shaft l5 mounted on the slide 37 parallel to the movement of the carriage. A suitable drive motor 47 through a reduction gearing 48 rotates the shaft 45 to move the carriage radially in or out, and the nut 46 is a threaded follower preferably in the form of a ball nut.

FIGURE 2 illustrates another form of the mechanism for forming a flying splice wherein a fresh parent roll i) has an adhesive faced lead end 5I for splicing to a travelling web W being fed off of an expiring roll 52. The splice is formed by a splice roll S3 forcing the web W against the outer surface of the parent roll Sti.

The parent roll is supported in a stand 54 and is rolled onto the stand along rails 5S supporting the ends of a core Stia for the roll 59. The core rolls against a latch or bolt 56 vertically slidable in a guide 57 and operable by links 53 connected to a piston and cylinder operator 59. A holding bolt or latch e@ snaps up behind the core and positively positions the parent roll 56a being urged upwardly by a spring 62 and being vertically slidable in a guide opening A link 63 is pivotally connected to the bolt or latch 6ft' and has an inclined surface 64 so that as the core rolls into position it rolls up onto the surface 64 and pushes the latch bolt et downwardly to be even with the upper surface of the stand.

While a parent roll is expiring in the stand 54, transfer arms 65 are swung over to the stand to move the expiring roll 52 to the position shown. The core of the expiring roll is received in a seat ed on the arm 65, and held in the seat by a latch bolt e7 vertically slidable on guides 69 and urged upwardly by a spring 7i). The core can be pushed onto the seat 66 over the inclined surface of an arm d8 connected to the latch bolt 67.

The transfer arm 65 is pivotally mounted at its base 71 and operated by an arm 72 connected to a rod 73 of a piston slidable within an operating cylinder 74 having suitable connections for operating hydraulic fluid.

The travelling web W being paid olf of the expiring roll 52 passes over a lower guide roll 7S and an upper guide roll 7 6 on each side of the splice roll 53.

The guide rolls 75 and 76 and splice roll 53 are supported on a carriage 77 movable along a path defined by ways or slides 78. The lower guide roll 75 and the splice roll 53 are driven at the peripheral speed of the web by a drive sheave 79 driving a belt 8l) which in turn drives the guide roll 75, and a belt 8l. extends between sheaves on the lower guide roll 75 and the splice roll S3.

The splice roll is moved inwardly independent of movement of the carriage 77 for forming the splice from the ready position shown in FIGURE 2. The splice position is shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 3, and the splice roll is supported on a pivotal arm 82 which is connected by a pivotal joint 83 to a rod 84 connected to a piston slidable within a splice roll operator cylinder 85 mounted on the carriage. When the parent roll 56 has attained the peripheral speed of the movement of the web W, the cylinder $5 is actuated by air pressure to move the splice roll rapidly inwardly to carry the web against the surface of the parent roll 50 as shown in FIGURE 3. Suitable air connections are provided for the cylinder 85, and the air cylinder 85 may be maintained under pressure with a latch, not shown, holding the piston rod during normal operation, and releasing it when the splice is t0 be made.

As is done with the arrangement of FIGURE l, in the structure of FIGURE 2 prior to making the splice the carriage 77 will be moved radially inwardly or outwardly to position the splice roll 53 closely adjacent the parent roll 50, and the slides 78 are so arranged that the splice roll will move in a radial path thus always maintaining it in optimum position regardless of the size of a parent roll that is being handled. Also the guide rolls 75 and 76 will always be maintained in the same positional relationship with respect to the splice roll 53, and a cutting knife 86 also carried on the carriage will be maintained in an optimum position. The carriage 77 is moved along its slides 7 8 by suitable holding means such as a rotatable shaft and follower nut similar to the shaft 45 and nut 46 used in connection with the mechanism of FIGURE 1.

The knife 86 is mounted on a knife support 87 pivotally supported on the carriage and operated by a suitable actuator, not shown, which swings the knife upwardly through the web as shown in FIGURE 3.

Also mounted on the knife support is an air jet 88 which is on the upper side of the knife holder 87 so that when the knife passes through the web, the air jet will blow rearwardly to direct the following cut end 9E out of the normal path of travel of the web W and prevent it from following through the rolls and possibly jamming the mechanism. The end 91 will freely gather to the left of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 2 where it can easily be cleaned away, and of course as soon as the cut is made the expiring roll 52 is braked, and is then carried away by an overhead crane hook 92 which hooks to th end of the core 93 of the roll (another hook such as 92 hooks to the other end). The following end 91 is also blown away by a` fixed" air jet 89, and air is supplied to the jets 8Sand 89 through a supply line 9i).

In operation, with reference to FIGURE l, a travelling web W from an expiring roll l1 held in a holder arm 21 passes upwardly over a lower guide roll32, a splice roll 31, and upper guide roll 32a. driven to the peripheral speed of the moving web, and the carriage 36 which supports each of the rolls 32, 31 and 32a, and also supports a cutting knife 33 is moved radially inwardly or outwardly to accommodate dilerent sizes of parent roll It) and prior to making the splice is moved to a position the splice roll 31 at the ready position closely adjacent the parent roll Ill. The splice roll 31 is then moved inwardly independent of the carriage against the roll It), and the cutter 33 is moved independently of the carriage to sever the web W as soon as the new splice is made.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an improved splicing mechanism which meets the objectives and advantages above set forth, and which is capable of forming a splice under optimum conditions regardless of the size of the parent roll. The mechanism is compact and of a simplified nature, and is operationally reliable and capable of continued long satisfactory operation without attention or adjustment.

The drawings and specification present a detailed disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and it is to be understood that the inveniton is not limited to the specific forms disclosed, but covers all modifications, changes and alternative constructions and methods falling within the scope of the principles taught by the invention.

I claim as myinvention:

1. A flying splice mechanism comprising a support for a fresh parent roll for rotation about an axis, means for holding an expiring parent roll having a web run feeding off of the expiring roll, a splice support carriage movable on straight slides in a straight line path toward and away from the roll support, a splice roll on the carriage, means for moving the splice roll independent of the carriage against the surface of the fresh parent roll to form a splice, a cutter mounted on the carriage, means for moving the cutter independent of the carriage to cut` the `web after a splice has been made, and air jet means carried on the cutter and movable through the web with the cutter to direct the following cut end of the web away from the path of travel of the web when the splice is made, and means for moving the carriage with the cutter and splice roll on the slides to position the carriage to accommodate fresh parent rolls of different sizes.

2. A flying splice mechanism comprising a roll support for a fresh roll, means for holding an expiring parent roll having a web run feeding off the expiring roll, a splice support, guide means for the support limiting movement of the support in a straight line path extending toward and away from said roll support, a splice member on said splice support movably mounted thereon to be engageable with the web to hold it against the fresh parent roll for forming a splice, a knife member mounted on said splice support movable thereon for cutting the web, and a guide roll member rotatably mounted on said splice support with said cutter movable between said splice member and roll member, so that each of said members will maintain its relationship to the other members with movement of the splice support to accommodate the size of said fresh parent roll.

3. A flying splice mechanism comprising in combination a fresh roll support for supporting a parent unwinding roll for rotation about an axis, means for holding an expiring parent roll having a web run feeding off the expiring roll, a splice support, guide means for the support limiting movement of the support in a path extend- A fresh parent roll 10 is` ing toward and away from said roll support, a splice member on said splice support movable thereon to be engageable with the web tohold it against the fresh parent roll for forming a splice, a knife member mounted on said splice support and movable thereon for cutting the web, and a guide roll member rotatably mounted on said splice support with said knife member movable between said splice member and said roll member, so that each of saidmembers will maintain its relationship to the other members with movement ofthe splice support to accommodate the size of said fresh parent roll.

4. A flying splice mechanism comprising a support for a fresh parent `roll `for rotation about an axis, means for holding an expiring parent roll having a web run feeding off of the expiring roll, a splice member `movable in a path toward or away from said support, means for moving said splice member in said path, a cutter movable in a cutting motion relative to the support for cutting the web from the expiring roll after a splice has been formed, means for moving said cutter in a path parallel to the path of the splice member and Vmaintaining the position of the cutter relative to the splice member for different positions of said splice member in said. path of the splice member, and guide means guiding the splice member, Said moving means, said cutter, and said cutter moving means together in a straight line path for movement toward or away fromthe noll support.

5. A flying splice mechanism comprising a support for a fresh parent roll for rotation about an axis, means for holding an expiring parent roll having` a web run feeding off of the expiring roll, a splice support, guide means for the splice support limiting movement of the splice support in a straight line path. extending toward or away from said roll support, a splice member on the splice support, a cutter mounted on the support and movable thereon for cutting the web from the expiring roll after a splice has been formed, a guide roll rotatably mounted on the splice support for guiding the web from the expiring roll, and power operated adjusting means for moving said splice support in a path parallel to the path of the splice member and maintaining the relative positional relationship between the guide roll and cutter and splice member for different positions in their paths to accommodate fresh parent rolls of different sizes.

6. A flying `splice mechanism comprising a roll support for a parent roll to be unwound, means for holding an expiring parent roll having a web run feeding olf of the expiring roll, a splice support, guide means for the support limiting movement of the support in a straight line path extending toward and away from said roll support, a splice roll member pivotally mounted on said splice support, a splice roll member operator connected to the splice roll member for pivoting the member for forcing the web against the fresh parent roll, a cutter mounted on said splice support and movable thereon, and a guide roll mounted on said splice support so that the cutter and guide roll will maintain their positions relative to the splice roll member with movement of the splice support.

7. A flying splice mechanism comprising a roll support for a parent roll to be unwound,I means for holding an expiring parent roll having a web run feeding off of the expiring roll, a splice support carriage, straight slides supporting the carriage for movement in a straight line path extending toward and away from said roll support, means for adiustably moving the carriage on the slides to accommodate fresh parent rolls of different sizes, a splice member on said carriage and movable thereon to be engageable with the web to hold it against the fresh parent roll, and means for moving said splice member relative to the carriage for forming a splice.

8. A flying splice mechanism comprising a roll support for a fresh parent roll to be unwound., means for holding an expiring parent roll having a web run feeding off of the expiring roll, a splice support carriage, straight slides supporting the carriage for movement in a straight line References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS l 1,894,253 1/33 McCarthy et al. 242-65 2,529,184 11/50 Pearson 242-66 5 10/52 Hornoostel 83-98 X 12/56 Pomper 242-582 6/61 Hornbostel 242-56 12/62 Havens et al 242-56 12/62 Karr 242-583 FOREIGN PATENTS 1/39 France. 5/'33 Great Britain.

MERVTN STEEN, Primary Examiner.

LEYLAND M. MARTIN, Examiner.

.Msn 

1. A FLYING SPLICE MECHANISM COMPRISING A SUPPORT FOR A FRESH PARENT ROLL FOR ROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS, MEANS FOR HOLDING AN EXPIRING PARENT ROLL HAVING A WEB RUN FEEDING OFF OF THE EXPIRING ROLL, A SPLICE SUPPORT CARRIAGE MOVABLE ON STRAIGHT SLIDES IN A STRAIGHT LINE PATH TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE ROLL SUPPORT, A SPLICE ROLL ON THE CARRIAGE, MEANS FOR MOVING THE SPLICE ROLL INDEPENDENT OF THE CARRIAGE AGAINST THE SURFACE OF THE FRESH PARENT ROLL TO FORM A SPLICE, A CUTTER MOUNTED ON THE CARRIAGE, MEANS FOR 